2015 Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend Set For October 2nd & 3rd

                                          

Alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football program are invited to the 2015 Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend on October 2nd and 3rd.

The weekend will center around defending NCAA III national champion UW-Whitewater's game vs. UW-Platteville on Saturday, October 3rd at Perkins Stadium. Former head coach Forrest Perkins, who passed away last December, will be recognized with a special pregame tribute.

All former players will receive free admission to the game.

Friday evening a dinner will be held at the 831 Brewhouse (formerly Randy's).

The dinner is open to all players, families and supporters ($20 per ticket). The dinner will be at 6 pm with a social beginning at 5 pm.

Championship teams to be recognized at dinner: 1960 (55 years), 1975 (40 years), 1980 (35 years), 1990 (25 years), 2005 (10 years), 2010 (5 years).

A golf outing will be held on Friday (12-noon start) at the Whitewater Country Club ($25 including cart)

On Saturday, a pregame tailgate will be held in the Perkins Stadium parking lot. The event is sponsored by UW-Whitewater football, Quarterback Club and KOOL 106.5 (The Radio Voice of Warhawk Football since 1963)  All former players and families are invited. The event is free and will include free brats, hot dogs and beverages.

For more information CLICK HERE

Lucas Skibba returns after missing 2014 to torn ACL

                                                 

Lucas Skibba back after missing 2014 to knee injury

“Being able to get back at it feels really good,” Lucas Skibba explains

 

 Last year at this time Skibba had just been named a preseason All-American by D3football.com. The Plover native was going to be the anchor of the offensive line. Just like that, Lucas’ season was over.  A torn ACL early in training camp meant the senior would miss the entire season.

 Skibba told me early-on following his injury that he didn’t want to end his career in street clothes on the sideline.  He vowed to be back in 2015.

 Skibba petitioned the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility due to injury. The request was granted.

 Despite missing being on the playing field last season his presence was felt both on the field and in the locker room.

Last year's O-Line was the youngest for the Warhawks since I came on the scene in 1988. The entire two-deep was made up of freshman and sophomores.

 Lucas used his experience to serve as a defacto student assistant coach in helping lead the Warhawks to a second-consecutive NCAA Division 3 national championship.

 The “red shirt” senior is not ashamed to admit that he was perhaps the “biggest” cheerleader throughout “Warhawk Nation.” Whileout injured. When you are 6’3” and 285 pounds you are classified a big cheerleader.

 Skibba admits that it’s been a challenge the first couple days of training camp.

 “First practice was pretty challenging," Skibba explains. "Today (second practice) I felt like I was really getting back into it. What I notice the most is the speed of the game. It will take practice reps to feel more comfortable.

 With the entire offensive line back from last year, and with the return of Skibba, the senior says his group looks forward to the challenge of repeating as conference champions.

 “We look forward to the challenge,” Skibba told me. “We want to lead the way in establishing another great run game and have pass protection schemes (pass pro shut outs) that will protect our quarterback.”

 The UW-Whitewater offensive line has been a fan favorite over the years at Perkins Stadium. It is summed up in three words – POUND THE ROCK!

“We are the guys in the trenches,” Skibba explains. “We relish the importance of our role of doing our job well each and every play. That’s our job. Their can’t be any excuses.”

 As as been the case each and every year, their is absolutely no talk of another Stagg Bowl berth for the Warhawks.

“As we say here every week, we have to keep pressing forward  and be 1 and 0 each and every week – every opponent.” Skibba said.

 To be successful, don’t get looking at the big picture. Keep your focus, one play, one practice, one game at a time.

POUND THE ROCK

 

 

Warhawks first training camp practice was fast paced and energenic

                                              

Warhawk offensive coordinator Craig Smith oversees his unit at today's practice

The UW-Whitewater football team's 2015 training camp roster stands at 138 as the preseason's first on-field practice took place this afternoon.

Many NCAA III programs boast rosters approaching 200 whoever UW-Whitewater has stayed steady between 135 and 140 on its preseason roster. 

The Warhawks and other WIAC teams used to have larger rosters however the conference's 100 player regular season roster limit has had an impact on the number of recruits brought in each season.

This afternoon's first practice of the preseason was held at the North practice field complex. The majority  of the remaining practices will take place inside Perkins Stadium.

The one thing that jumped out at me this afternoon was the energy at practice.  UW-Whitewater's new coaching staff ran a rapid pace 24 segment practice. The high energy level of both the coaching staff and players was quite apparent.

I was standing adjacent to new Warhawk offensive coordinator Craig Smith for much of this afternoon's practice. Coach Smith's high energy level was contagious as he "coached up" his quarterbacks and offensive unit.

My Warhawk Training Camp Reports will debut Monday morning at 7:15 on KOOL 106.5. The reports will also be streamed live. To access the audio stream CLICK HERE.

UWWs Zach Franz: One of the four best defensive Linemen in D3

                                                              

(This story is courtesy of Herosports.com)

Franz is just a junior, but proudly carries the title “Two-time National Champion,” having won back-to-back titles with the Warhawks in 2013 and ’14. Yet, the 6-foot, 263-pound lineman wants more.
The question is, how much higher can this man climb? Especially after a banner year in which he racked up 35 tackles, seven sacks (0.54 per game), 11 tackles for loss, and a handful of stellar performances, including a season-high six tackles and 1.5 sacks against UW-Oshkosh in October.
Opposing offenses may not want to find out.

So, what contributes to Franz’s lofty success? “I believe its having a good work ethic and good coaching from both teammates and coaches,” he said, while highlighting his personal fitness routine.
“I prepare (for the physical aspect of the game) by trying to workout with the best people to help push each other to our full abilities.” That extends all the way to his diet, which doesn’t include, “candy, or late-night pizza.”

It remains to be seen if the Warhawks can snag a three-peat this season, especially with the departures of key players and legendary coach Lance Leipold, who departed for Buffalo in the offseason.

“All I know,” Franz said, “the team this season is hungry for more.”

Are you ready for the Kevin Bullis era of Warhawk football?

                                                                         
UW-Whitewater football players and parents reported to the Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex today as Warhawk training camp is underway. The first practice is set for Friday. Thursday will be filled with team meetings and other administrative necessities.

I've read a couple of national publications and newspaper articles where the writer has implied that UWW's incredible success could be in jeopardy following Lance Leipold's exodus to FBS SUNY-Buffalo (NY) along with the majority of his Whitewater staff. It is the obvious story line in the wake of Coach Leipold's incredible 109-6 record in eight seasons at U-Dub-Dub including 6 NCAA III national championships.

The articles talk about the bar raised "Empire State Building" high for Kevin Bullis in his first year as head coach of the two-time defending national champion Warhawks.

Think back to early 2007 when Lance Leipold was hired to replace the recently retired Bob Berezowitz after 26 years as UW-Whitewater's head coach. It was the former Warhawk quarterback's first head coaching position.  Leipold talked about the winning tradition at Whitewater and the pressure of "holding up" the winning tradition at UW-Whitewater.

At his initial press conference on the day he was named Whitewater's 21st head coach in a program that dates back to 1895, Bullis also talked about UWW's winning tradition.

"It is an honor to serve UW-Whitewater as head football coach," Bullis told the gathering at Williams Center. "Following the legacies left by Forrest Perkins, Bb Berezowitz and Lance Leipold, I am humbled."

Bullis gets it. 
                                                         

UW-Whitewater's football program fuels its success by the motto, Powered By Tradition.

 Kevin's passion, integrity and understanding of the holistic student-athlete experience stood out during the search and screen process," UW-Whitewater  athletic director Amy Edmonds said after naming Bullis head coach. "Kevin understands the rich history of Warhawk football and the entire university. We are confident to continue our tradition of excellence both on and off the field."

Bullis’) passion, integrity and understanding of the holistic student-athlete experience stood out during the search and screen process,” Edmonds said in a release. “Kevin understands the rich history of Warhawk football and the entire university, and we are confident to continue our tradition of excellence both on and off the field.”

Bullis beat out four other finalists for Whitewater's head coaching position  While the others talked about football, Bullis talked about the importance of players excelling, not only on the field, but more importantly in the classroom and in the community.

Being of high character is extremely important according to the new Warhawk head coach.

Last year I was relegated to sitting in a wheelchair at Warhawk football games in Perkins Stadium as I battled inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer. Each game prior to kickoff, Coach Bullis would come over to my chair in the southwest corner of the end zone, shake my hand and ask how I was doing in my battle.  Several of his players would also come over to shake my hand following the games at the Perk.

Their effort might not seem like much to you, but it meant the world to me.  It is why I was inspired to launch my Voices Eye on Warhawk Football Website for this season. To let fans know more about who our Warhawk players and coaches are all about. Stories that deserve to be told.

High character, solid football is what Kevin Bullis brings to the table.  Get ready for an exciting season of Warhawk football - I know I am!

One day at a time!

UW-Whitewater Football Training Camp Reports will debut Monday on KOOL 106.5

                               

UW-Whitewater's football team reports back to campus for the start of training camp tomorrow. The actual first, on field practice, is scheduled on Friday.

Hi, I'm Tom Pattison. I will again be broadcasting UW-Whitewater Football Training Camp Reports twice daily (8:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.) on 106.5 KOOL FM, Your Radio Home For Warhawk Football for the past 52 years. My reports can also be accessed via podcast.  To listen CLICK HERE

My reports were originally scheduled to begin Friday morning.  Following my meeting this morning at WFAW/KOOL 106.5, the reports will now debut Monday morning at approximately 7:15 a.m.
Words cannot describe how important it is for me to still be able to contribute to Warhawk football broadcasts after a year off

2015 Warhawk football team reports to training camp on Wednesday

                                                   

                                     

Are you ready for UW-Whitewater football? Tomorrow, players report to the Bob Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex… first practice is set for Friday.

 The two-time defending NCAA III national champions return a solid nucleus as preseason practice gets underway.

 The Warhawks feature seven returning starters on both offense and defense.

 The Hawks need to replace two-time Stagg Bowl MVP Matt Behrendt and wide receiver Jake Kumerow now on the Cincinnati Bengals' roster, 

 The top three running backs statistically – Dennis Moore, Jordan Ratliff and Nick Patterson – return at tailback.  The three running backs averaged over 6.5 yards per carry.

 The Hawks have its entire offensive line returning. The entire 2-deep in the OL is comprised of underclassmen (as was the case last year). Also expected back will be Lucas Skibba. Skibba was scheduled to be the top returning offensive lineman last year but suffered season ending knee injury during last year’s training camp.

 One of the keys to offensive production this season will be replacing Jake Kumerow and Justin Howard at wide out.  Joe Worth leads this year’s group of receivers heading into camp. Worth finished third statistically in 2014 at wide receiver.

 Whitewater returns all but one of its front seven starters defensively. Mykaell Bratchett (DE) is the lone starter lost to graduation.

The entire linebacker core from last year’s Stagg Bowl two-deep roster return.  Three of the four starters in the secondary have graduated including Brady Grayvold and Marcus McClinn, who were perhaps the top set of cornerbacks in Division 3 last season.

The Warhawks’ kicking game returns in tact with both Lake Bachar and Will Meyer returning.

 UW-Whitewater does not publish a list of recruits prior to the start of preseason practice. Division 3 doesn’t incorporate “letters of intent” as D2, FBS and FCS does.

 Are you ready for UW-Whitewater football? Tomorrow, players report to the Bob Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex… first practice is set for Friday.

 

 

WIAC football teams begin preparation for 2015 season

                                   

 

All WIAC schools with the exception of UW-Whitewater have opened training camp.  Stout opens its season on Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. perennial MIAC power Bethel in Menomonie.  On Friday, Sept. 4 UW-La Crosse opens its season vs. Luther (IA) at Veterans Stadium.

 Platteville and River Falls open the 2015 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 5.  The Pioneers host Buena Vista (IA) while the Falcons travel to Simpson (IA).

 Three night games on the 5^th will wrap up the week 1 schedule.

 St. Thomas (MN) at UW-Eau Claire

UW-Oshkosh at Robert Morris (IL)

UW-Stevens Point at Albion (MI)

 UW-Whitewater has a bye week on Sept. 5. The Warhawks will open the season on Sept. 12 vs. Belhaven University in Jackson. Mississippi.

 The Warhawks’ home opener will be on Sept. 19 vs. Findlandia, Michigan at Perkins Stadium.

 Warhawk football, both home and away, will be heard live on KOOL 106.5 and also streamed live.  WKCH/WFAW have been the “Radio Home of UW-Whitewater football since 1963.

Matt Blanchard in "mop up" roll in preseason opener

                                          

Matt Blanchard in preseason opener at New England Thursday night

For UW-Whitewater football fans around the state, their was great anticipation to watch Matt Blanchard in last night's preseason opening win at New England.

As expected the 1st half belonged to Aaron Rodgers and Scott Tolzien.

Brett Hundley was impressive in the 3rd quarter. The rookie fifth-round draft pick, capped a 61-yard touchdown drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to undrafted running back John Crockett.

Hundley had the best stat line of the Green Bay quarterbacks. He finished 4 of 6, 60 yards, one TD, no INT, one sack, and an impressive 138.9 QB rating.

Leading 22-11, Matt Blanchard entered the game with 5:32 remaining in the game.

After two running plays, Blanchard was sacked on his first passing situation for a loss of 15 yards but the play was wiped out on a New England face mask penalty.

In total, Blanchard was in for a total of 8 plays - 6 rushing, 2 of 2 passing for 11 yards,  0 TDs, 0 INT, 1 sack, and an 89.6 quarterback rating.

Next up for the Packers will be a trip to Pittsburgh a week from Sunday to take on the Steelers.

Training Camp looms for UW-Whitewater football team

I was over at Perkins Stadium and the Bob Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex today taking photos to upload onto my Voices Eye On Warhawk Football Website. Several of Kevin Bullis’ coaching staff are spending a couple of day’s out in Buffalo, New York watching Lance Leipold’s University of Buffalo team in training camp. While the Lance Leipold era is over here in Whitewater, the Kevin Bullis era is just getting underway.  

 Players are scheduled to report to training camp on August 21. Over the past month I’ve seen a number of players physically preparing for camp by working out on their own.

 In truth, playing football at the “national elite” level of NCAA Division 3, requires year round work – weight room, spring practice – academics.

 I saw a post on Facebook today.  

 

Four Warhawks - Brandon Tamsett, Zach Franz, Kyle Schiedemeyer, and Nick Patterson have wrapped up a summer of working out at Brad Arnett’s NXLevel Performance Center in Waukesha.

 It is amazing the number of NFL and College players that call Arnett’s facility “home.”

 I'll have UW-Whitewater Training Camp Reports twice daily starting on August 21st on KOOL 106.5, Your Radio Home For Warhawk Football

 

 

 

 

Warhawks Favored In WIAC Preseason Poll

The UW-Whitewater football program is again in familiar territory.  The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's sports information directors and football coaches have tabbed the Warhawks to capture the WIAC championship for a 10th time in the last 11 years. UW-Whitewater leads conference football programs with 34 WIAC/WSUC titles in conference history.

The Warhawks enter the season on a 34 game win streak, the longest current streak in all of college football.

The two-time defending NCAA III national champions are scheduled to report for training camp August 22nd. They'll open the season at Bellhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi on September 12th.


                                                     UW-Whitewater     15-0, 7-0 (WIAC)
                                                     UW-Platteville         7-3, 5-2 (WIAC)
                                                     UW-Oshkosh           6-4, 6-1 (WIAC)
                                                     UW-Stevens Point   7-3, 4-3 (WIAC)
                                                     UW-La Crosse         3-7, 2-5 (WIAC)
                                                     UW-River Falls        3-7, 2-5 (WIAC)
                                                     UW-Eau Claire        1-9, 1-6  (WIAC)
                                                     UW-Stout                2-8, 1-6  (WIAC)

Once a Warhawk, Always a Warhawk

I've been associated with the UW-Whitewater football and men's basketball programs since 1988. While I've had the opportunity to be the Radio Voice of both teams for many of those years, it is the friendships I have developed over the past 26 years that I relish the most.

Still being on first name basis with many of the former players who's games I called on the radio over the years means a lot to me. Many of those players and their parents enthusiastically endorsed my idea of launching my Voice's Eye On Warhawk Football Website last week.

One of my favorite days each month is having lunch in Madison every three weeks with a group of former Warhawk players, coaches, and VIP boosters.  Our location has been at the Avenue Bar. Our luncheon has been off the past couple of months while the Avenue undergoes extensive renovation.

Today, several of us got together for lunch at the 841 Brewhouse in Whitewater. It was the first time I've been at 841 that was the former Randy's Restaurant. It has great atmosphere and great food!

Either as a former player, coach, or Warhawk booster, it is the friendships developed over the years that are so special.

I was fortunate enough to be inducted into the UW-Whitewater Athletic's Hall of Fame several years ago.  I will tell you that to be able to have lunch with the group I did today is humbling.

As I often say - Once a Warhawk, Always a Warhawk

(In the adjacent photo (L to R) Dave Vander Muelen, Tom Pattison, Pike Teipner, Claude Miller, Bob Berezowitz)

For the 5th straight year i'll have twice daily Warhawk Training Camp Reports on KOOL 106.5

I'm proud to announce that I finalized details this morning with WFAW/KOOL 106.5, to produce twice daily, three minute long UW-Whitewater Football Training Camp Reports on KOOL 106.5.  I have been involved with Warhawk football on the radio since 1988. It is a valuable part of my life.

This will be my 5th season of doing the training camp reports on the radio. It is a way of giving Warhawk football fans a preseason look at the two-time defending NCAA III national champions.

My reports will include player profiles, excerpts of interviews with players and coaches,  and my daily thoughts on how camp is going. The reports will be heard twice daily on KOOL 106.5 along with being streamed. The camp reports will also be available to download on a need basis.

Players are scheduled to report to training camp on Saturday, August 22. Camp runs for two weeks. The Warhawks open the season on the road at Bellhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi on September 12.

I talked this morning with 1st year Warhawk football head coach Kevin Bullis. He says he looks forward to working with me during camp and all season long.

         

Hawks 58, Wesley 6 in 2005 - my No. 1 game-week memory

One of my great memories of a game-week at Perkins Stadium occurred the week leading up to UW-Whitewater's 2005 national semifinal game vs. Wesley College (Del.) at the Perk.
The story starts on Thursday when over a foot of snow falls in Whitewater.

I'm at the Warhawk football Quarterback Club at Saxe's Lonestar on Thursday night and I get a call about 10:30 p.m. from then head coach Bob Berezowitz.

"Tom, do you have your camera with you?" Berezowitz asked. "Get over here to the Stadium, you won't  believe it!"

I rush over to the "Perk" and I though I had just arrived at the North Pole!" (see adjacent photo)

A hastily organized "grounds crew" had put a tarp over the grass field that afternoon and portable heaters were brought in to try to keep the field from freezing over.

Ketterhagen Motors brought several SUVs to the stadium to keep the tarp from dislodging.

Fast forward 40 hours to game day. The field remained ice covered in front of a season-high crowd of 5480 at cold, snowy and windy Perkins Stadium. The Warhawks forced a Wesley safety on the first play from scrimmage and never looked back, rolling to a 58-6 victory over the Wolverines to advance to UWW's first-ever Stagg Bowl appearance.

To this day Wesley blames the poor field conditions and lack of proper shoes for the loss.

Whitewater would beat Wesley 44-7 one year later in 2006 national semifinal action at the Perk

 

 

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It was on this date in 2004 that I launched my Warhawkfootball.com Website.

                                              

Today marks a special anniversary for me.  It was on this date in 2004 that I launched my Warhawkfootball.com Website. 

The idea for the site occurred after, then UW-Whitewater head coach Bob Berezowitz and I, talked about a Mount Union football fan site at the time, and how it promoted the iconic NCAA Division 3 program.

As opposed to the Mount Union site, I elected to incorporate a "magazine style" site that included stories on a daily basis throughout the season. Most of my stories I wrote. Others included a lead-in to another media story that I would link the reader to.

 Never did I realize how popular the site would become. It registered over 2 1/2 million hits over its 10 years of existence.

Last year, in the midst of being diagnosed with being diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases, I missed renewing my domain. As a result, the Warhawkfootball.com domain was available.

Jay Perkins, the son of iconic UW-Whitewater football coach Forrest Perkins, purchased the domain name and has made Warhawkfootball.com even better than through my 14 years at the helm.

I recently launched my Voices Eye on Warhawk Football Website, not to be in competition with Jay, but to give UW-Whitewater football fans around the country (and the world) another daily source for Warhawk football stories and information, 

My new site will feature more commentary along with player and coach interviews as I attempt to "put a face on UW-Whitewater football." In my mind, the No. 1 D3 football program in the country.

Matt Blanchard gets his first opportunity to play in Lambeau Field

(Associated Press - Mark Roemer Photo)

The Green Bay Packers entertained 67,191 fans for 90 minutes Saturday night. It marked the Packers' 10th Annual Family Night practice before a near sold out Lambeau Field. It was the team's seventh practice of it's 2015 training camp.

 

Among the rookie players getting their first opportunity to perform in front of a near full house at "legendary Lambeau" was former UW-Whitewater quarterback Matt Blanchard. Matt signed with Green Bay back in April after reaching an injury settlement with the Carolina Panthers.

Blanchard operated No 4 on the team's depth chart last night.

Through the first week of training camp, Blanchard and 5th round draft pick Brett Hundley have alternated at No. 3 and No. 4 on the Packers' quarterback depth chart.

 

Matt Blanchard interviewed today by 105.7's Bill Michaels

Green Bay Packer (and former UW-Whitewater) quarterback Matt Blanchard was on the radio with Bill Michaels on 105.7 “The Fan” in Milwaukee today. They talked about a variety of subjects including Saturday’s Family Night at Lambeau Field; on playing a back-up roll at quarterback; on making the 53-man roster; his thoughts on UW-Whitewater going for a third consecutive D3 championship; and his thoughts on his former college coach, Lance Leipold making the jump to FBS Buffalo this year.

 

To listen to the interview CLICK HERE

 

 

People are reading Voice's Eye on Warhawk Football all around the world!

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting excited for the start of UW-Whitewater football training camp later this month.

Every morning I check the online statistics of who, and how many, are clicking onto my Voice’ Eye on Warhawk Football Website.

 Visitor numbers have increased on a daily basis since launching the Website this past Monday.

 As expected, 99% of “hits” are from here in the United States. Yesterday I noticed that the site is getting readers from all around the world. Not sure why, but there is a small group of readers in Ireland.   Perhaps it is due to my name – Pattison. (Patty-son, get it? LOL)

To date I’ve had readers in Canada, Australia, Germany, Bermuda, United Kingdom, Guatemala, India – along with Ireland and the USA.

 Pretty “cool” huh?

 The highlight of my week occurred yesterday when I arrived at my infusion clinic in Madison.

 As I walked into the infusion clinic, one of the nurses came walking up to me with a big smile on her face and said, "Tom, you are a celebrity - a star," she asked me. I said "excuse me - what's this all about?"  Well last night on Facebook one of her friends shared a post of your new Website. It was my Voice's Eye on Warhawk Football article asking ESPN College Gameday to come to Whitewater this season. It made me feel like my effort was all worth it!

 

 

Report: Kumerow hoping to make Bengal's 53-man roster

I had indicated earlier this week that former UW-Whitewater wide receiver Jake Kumerow was "raising" eyebrows" during the first few days of Cincinnati Bengals training camp. Reports out of camp that the former All-American has made a handful of spectacular catches that have impressed fans at he Bengal's training camp site adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium.

SB Nation's  Rebecca Toback spoke with the Bengals free agent wide receiver earlier this week. The 2014 D3football.com Offensive "Player of the Year" is one of the team's undrafted players looking to earn a roster spot with the team this season. Kumerow has shown flashes in training camp and is ready to prove why a D-III prospect can make it in the NFL.

At Whitewater he was known for Sports Center Top 10 like catches like the above photo

To read the article CLICK HERE

A lttle Chemo and Website work for me today

I hope you all are enjoying my return to blogging UW-Whitewater football stories here on my brand new, Voice's Eye on Warhawk Football Website. I'm currently in my 384th day since being diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases.

I'm sitting in my chair this morning here at the infusion center here in Madison getting my weekly chemo infusion. My computer's on my lap and the people here are awesome! 

Why am I back promoting Warhawk football on the internet? Simple - it has been my passion since 1988. Battling cancer is extremely scary! Even though I'm fighting an "inoperable and incurable life-threatening disease, I recently came to the conclusion that doing what I love would be some of  the best therapy I could get in at this juncture of my life.

I miss very much having my Warhawkfootball.com Website. I'm so thankful it is now in the capable hands of Jay Perkins. lease visit his site daily throughout the upcoming season.

M new Website will continue to feature stories in a magazine format. Once the players arrive for training camp I'll be conducting player and coaches interviews, As was the case before, I want to put a "face" on the No. 1 NCAA III football program in the country.

Again, my site will include plenty of photos. I'll also have an online interactive poll each week. I also want to add "commentary" posts.

Hopefully, I'll be allowed in the press box this season after a year off. I missed not being in the press Box greatly last year.

 I truly believe my work adds significantly to the public perception of the Warhawk football program. I pledge to do the best job possible. You can bet on that!  GO HAWKS

Fundraising for the Football Performance Center/Locker Room Project is underway

This 2015 Locker Room Project is a comprehensive renovation of the Perkins Stadium service building that will fulfill the needs of today's student-athlete and help carry Warhawk Football into the next era.

The current facility has not been significantly modified since it was constructed over 40 years ago. Basic needs like air-conditioning, space for injury treatments, and a properly ventilated locker room are all necessary to keep student-athletes safe and healthy.

A brand new, larger, and more functional locker room will give our current team a suitable meeting space and serve as a valuable recruiting tool. In addition, the sports medicine area will expand and feature a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy that is integral to the recovery and rehabilitation of student-athletes.

To fully realize this vision and keep Warhawk Football as the preeminent program in college football, we need the support of our alumni and supporters. Permanent signage on the new lockers is only $1,500, payable over a five-year period ($25 per month).

 

For more information, or to make a donation, please contact former UW-Whitewater football coach Bob Berezowitz at (262) 325-9941, You may also email him at berezowr@uww.edu

For more information on the UW-Whitewater Football Performance Center/Locker Room Project CLICK HERE

Matt Behrendt signs this week with the Green Bay Blizzard of the Indoor Football League

Another UW-Whitewater quarterback has landed a professional football contract.  With Matt Blanchard playing just up Lombardi Avenue with the Green Bay Packers, his former UW-Whitewater teammate Matt Behrendt signed this week with the Green Bay Blizzard of the Indoor Football League (IFL).  The Blizzard play its games at the Resch Center.

 Following his time at UW-Whitewater he was invited to the Minnesota Vikings Mini Camp in May and spent some time with the IFL Intense Conference Colorado Crush (formerly the Colorado Ice). Behrendt is a well rounded quarterback who will not only bring his talent to the Blizzard roster but also his aggressive offensive style.

Behrendt says he is lpoking forward to playing back in Wisconsin, “it is like home to me, it feels great to have the opportunity to come back here and in such a city where there is so much tradition and amazing fan support.”

 

To view the Green Bay Blizzard press release CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Mike "Cannon Man" Lesko rocks the Perk

 

What's the motto? UW-Whitewater football is built on tradition. A hugely popular tradition over the past two decades has been Mike "Cannon Man" Lesko, after every Warhawk score, to fire his Civil War replica cannon from his south end zone location at Perkins Stadium.


The tradition began back in 1984 for the West Bend resident.

Each game, students and other youngsters are allowed into the end zone to "help" Lesko fire the cannon following a UW-Whitewater score.

Big time celebrities have even gotten into the act.

Kevin Bacon fired off a shot to celebrate a UWW touchdown in 1995. Daniel Travanto from the 1980's television drama Hill Street Blues" lit the cannon one game in the late 1980's.

Last season, senior defensive end Mykaell Bratchett said he definitely felt a boost every time the cannon was fired.

"It really adds to the atmosphere here at the "Perk," Bratchett said. "The fans wild after hearing the cannon explode. It really adds to the Warhawks' home field advantage,"

(above photo courtesy of Craig Schreiner - UW-Whitewater)  


To watch a video of Cannon Man Lesko CLICK HERE



 

Note to ESPN College Game Day: Please come to Whitewater this season!

One of my passions during my now 48 week battle vs. inoperable and incurable stage 4 colorectal cancer has been feverishly lobbying ESPN to bring College Game Day to Whitewater one Saturday this coming season.

The idea stemmed from last October's Game Day segment on Lance Leipold reaching 100 wins faster than any coach in NCAA history.

At the end of the segment Game Day's Lee Corso openly wished that the show should come to the UW-Whitewater campus. 

To view segment CLICK HERE

"Before I leave (College) Game Day Whitewater is one place I want to visit," Corso said in the segment. "That would be a great trip wouldn't it?"

That got me thinking that we need to be proactive in lobbying for a Whitewater stop this year for the ESPN Game Day program. I put together a folder of stories, statistics videos, and photos on UW-Whitewater football and its lofty spot in the college football universe.  I sent the "marketing" package to Game Day producer Lee Fitting.

We had several email conversations in regards to my idea. Lee assured me that Whitewater was on the show's "radar."  When the show's production staff met to discuss potential targeted location this season, Whitewater was included in that discussion.

I asked Lee if Whitewater is on the show's tentative 2015 schedule. He told me that ESPN doesn't announce specific locations until 7 to 10 days prior to the coming week's show.

ESPN announced yesterday the it will kick off the season with College Gameday travelling to the Fort Worth Texas Stockyards  for the Sept. 5 Wisconsin-Alabama season opener at nearby AT&T Stadium (AKA JerryWorld).

I was excited when I heard the news, but it made me more apprehensive on whether UW-Whitewater would join its "big brother" on ESPN Game Day later this season.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Blanchard and Kumerow impressing at NFL Training Camps

St. Louis Rams WR Derek Stanley makes a spectacular catch

Two former UW-Whitewater All-American's are looking good early on in their respective NFL training camps.

Quarterback Matt Blanchard was signed by the Green Bay Packers in April after receiving an injury settlement after an injury plagued year with the Carolina Panthers. Blanchard suffered a severe concussion during last year's training camp.

Blanchard is battling 5th round draft pick Brett Hundley for the Packers' No. 3 quarterback position on the regular season roster.

Meanwhile at the Cincinnati Bengals training camp, former Warhawk wide receiver Jake Kumerow has been impressive in the early days of camp.  The 6-5 target has made some of the most crowd pleasing catches early on. The first undrafted free agent taken by the Bengals needs to be more consistent as camp goes on.  Kumerow suffered a broken finger on the first day of rookie camp in May. He returned to the field "full go" for the first time just prior to the start of training camp.

Back in 2007, Derek Stanley was drafted in the 7th round by the St. Louis Rams. Derek started the season on the Rams' practice squad. He was elevated to the regular season roster the same week that UW-Whitewater was playing Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl. Stanley played three years with the Rams as a wide receiver along with returning punts and kicks.

Stanley wasn't the only Warhawk off the 2006 team that ended up in a training camp. Tight end Pete Schmitt signed a free agent contract following his invitation to participate unsigned at the Redskins 2007 rookie camp. While Pete was a pure tight end while playing at Whitewater, he was more of an H-back with Washington. The Mount Horeb native was making inroads prior to injuring a shoulder midway through training camp. He was later released after agreeing to an injury settlement.

It appeared that 2007 Gagliardi Trophy winner Justin Beaver was on track to be drafted. Beaver ended his career as the third leading rusher all-time at the D3 level. After failing to be drafted Beaver was invited on a tryout basis at the Green Bay Packers rookie camp.

The 5-8 running back had made headlines around the league by putting up Pro Day numbers rivaling many of the tip D1 backs in the country.  Justin was a media star at the rookie camp. I was covering Justin and new many of the journalists who I worked with a couple of years earlier as producer and "voice" of the Titletown Report. Speculation was that Justin would be offered a free agent deal. The speculation failed to materialize. A few days later Beaver signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. 

The CFL is a wide open league offensively in it's novel three down format. Justin was a workhorse running back - a type of back that few teams had at the time in the CFL.  I drove up to Regina, Saskatchewan to spend a couple days in the Roughriders preseason camp. By that time Beaver had begun to understand the business-side of professional football. Justin spent the season on the team's practice squad prior to returning to Wisconsin to become a teacher as the result of his UW-Whitewater education.

Another one of the 2007 national champions signed with Saskatchewan. Linebacker AJ Raebel had all the tools to play at the pro level. When he arrived in Regina the big redhead was suffering from extreme fatigue and was released early on.  Raebel was soon after diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is now recovered and teaching and coaching in Waukesha.

As I suffer from my own cancer, I miss being able to be in Green Bay and Cincinnati to interview and do stories on Blanchard and Kumerow. 

In 2007 I spent three days in suburban Washington DC covering Pete Schmitt's training camp effort with the Redskins. The following week I was in suburban St. Louis following Derek Stanley's successful training camp with the Rams. In 2008, me and former UWW head coach Bob Berezowitz spent a couple days covering Derek when the St. Louis training camp was conducted at Concordia University in Mequon.

Again, I wish so much that my health would allow me to travel to Green Bay and Cincinnati. My medical team has taken that option off the table for me. It again shows me that cancer really does suck!

Warhawk football's "Kevin Bullis Era" set to hit the practice field

UW-Whitewater football's "Kevin Bullis Era" is set to hit the practice field. Players will report to camp on August 22nd in advance of three weeks of practice prior to the season opener on September 12 vs. Bellhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. The Warhawks will host Finlandia University (Michigan) on September 19 in a 1 p.m. Hall of Fame Day kickoff at Perkins Stadium.

To view the entire 2015 UW-Whitewater football schedule CLICK HERE






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Jake Kumerow making an impact at Cincinnati Bengals' training camp

Former UW-Whitewater WR Jake Kumerow is raising eyebrows at Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp this weekend. The undrafted free agent was the Bengal's first free agent signed following this year's NFL Draft. Early reports say the former Warhawk has a good shot to make Cincinnati's 53-man regular season roster according to a story by Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

 

The 6'4, 209-pound receiver was named D3football.com's Division III Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, as he caught 66 receptions for 1,116 yards and 14 touchdowns despite missing four games due to injury. He was also being named first-team All-America and first-team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in helping lead the Warhawks to a second consecutive NCAA III National Championship.
 

The Division III Offensive Player of the Year will get a chance to do what his Dad, Eric did. To play in the National Football League. 

(photo courtesy of Bleacher Report)

Matt Blanchard battling for Packers' No. 3 quarterback roster spot

(Courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) -- With each passing day, UW-Whitewater product Matt Blanchard looks like a legitimate NFL quarterback. In Day 3 of Training Camp on Saturday, he completed 6 of 8 passes in team drills.

It was the first practice in pads, and Blanchard seemed sharper than he was Thursday and Friday. At times in the first two days, he wasn't getting the ball out of his hand. In all three practices he has been waved in ahead of rookie Brett Hundley, the fifth-round draft choice from UCLA. Excluding no-huddle, the snap counts at the position in team were 22 for Aaron Rodgers, 19 for Scott Tolzien, 12 for Blanchard and 11 for Hundley.

The Packers gave Blanchard a one-year minimum deal worth $435,000 on April 15; he had been out of work since being waived off injured reserve (concussion) Dec. 9 by Carolina. Upon meeting Blanchard, Mike McCarthy told him, "Why the hell don't you have a job?" Now one can see why the coach would say that.

Blanchard had previously spent portions of two seasons on the Chicago Bears' practice squad.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/training-camp-report-saturday-at-a-glance-b99548129z1-320401942.html

I'm back!!!

I'm Tom Pattison and I may be battling inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases but that's not going to stop me from blogging my thoughts on UW-Whitewater football this season. After taking last year off due to health reasons, I have decided that I have an emotional need to get back online and resume the job I started in 2004 - to give Warhawk football fans a "daily dose" of information and commentary on the No. 1 NCAA III football program in the country.

Please visit my Website on a daily basis. GO WARHAWKS!